Histone deacetylase inhibitors and their use in therapy

ABSTRACT

A compound of the formula: (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: L is a 5-membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl which is optionally fused to a benzene; Y is a 5, 6 or 7-membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl, which is optionally fused to a benzene; and W is a zinc-binding group. The compounds are HDAC inhibitors and therefore have potential utility in therapy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the national phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2013/052917, filed Nov. 6, 2013, which claims priority to applications GB1220029.1, filed Nov. 7, 2012, GB1309015.4, filed May 20, 2013, and GB1315254.1, filed Aug. 28, 2013, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel compounds which are inhibitors of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and therefore have therapeutic utility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

HDACs are zinc metalloenzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of acetylated lysine residues. In histones, this returns lysines to their protonated state and is a global mechanism of eukaryotic transcriptional control, resulting in tight packaging of DNA in the nucleosome. Additionally, reversible lysine acetylation is an important regulatory process for non-histone proteins. Thus, compounds which are able to modulate HDAC have important therapeutic potential.

WO2010/086646 discloses compounds which act as inhibitors of HDAC. In the claims, L is defined broadly as being a “nitrogen-containing” heteroaryl. All the exemplified compounds require that L is pyridyl or benzofused pyridyl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has surprisingly been found that replacing one of the “L” groups of the compounds disclosed in WO2010/086646 with a 5-membered heteroaryl, results in compounds with improved bioavailability. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that substitution of one of the “L” groups by the 5-membered isosteres disclosed herein makes the compounds of the invention less susceptible to oxidative turnover.

Therefore, the present invention is a compound of the formula

wherein:

is a double bond and X is C; or

is a single bond and X is N, CH or CQR₁, and

wherein:

n is 1 to 10;

R is H or QR₁;

each R^(/) is independently selected from H and QR₁;

each Q is independently selected from a bond, CO, CO₂, NH, S, SO, SO₂ or O;

each R₁ is independently selected from H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, halogen, C₁-C₁₀ alkylaryl, C₁₀ alkyl heteroaryl, C₁-C₁₀ heterocycloalkyl or trifluoromethyl;

L is a 5-membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl which is optionally fused to a benzene;

Y is a 5, 6 or 7-membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl, which is optionally fused to a benzene;

W is a zinc-binding group; and

each aryl or heteroaryl may be substituted by up to five substituents selected from C₁-C₆ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁-C₃ hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, C₁-C₃ haloalkoxy, amino, C₁-C₃ mono alkylamino, C₁-C₃ bis alkylamino, C₁-C₃ acylamino, C₁-C₃ aminoalkyl, mono(C₁-C₃ alkyl)amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, bis(C₁-C₃ alkyl)amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃-acylamino, C₁-C₃ alkyl sulfonylamino, halo, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, carboxy, C₁-C₃ alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, bis C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, —SO₃H, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminosulfonyl and bis C₁-C₃-alkyl aminosulfonyl,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The compounds of the invention may be useful as an inhibitor of HDAC, i.e. in they may be used in a method of treating a disease associated with an over-expression of HDAC.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

As used herein, “alkyl” means a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, which can be linear or branched. Preferably, it is a C₁-C₆ alkyl moiety. More preferably, it is a C₁-C₄ alkyl moiety. Examples include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and t-butyl. It may be divalent, e.g. propylene.

As used herein, “cycloalkyl” contains from 3 to 10 carbon atoms. It may be monovalent or divalent.

As used herein, “alkenyl” means a C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group. Preferably, it is a C₂-C₆ alkenyl group. More preferably, it is a C₂-C₄ alkenyl group. The alkenyl radicals may be mono- or di-saturated, more preferably monosaturated. Examples include vinyl, allyl, 1-propenyl, isopropenyl and 1-butenyl. It may be divalent, e.g. propenylene

As used herein, “alkynyl” is a C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl group which can be linear or branched. Preferably, it is a C₂-C₄ alkynyl group or moiety. It may be divalent.

Each of the C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl and C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl groups may be optionally substituted with each other, i.e. C₁-C₁₀ alkyl optionally substituted with C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl. They may also be optionally substituted with aryl, cycloalkyl (preferably C₃-C₁₀), aryl or heteroaryl. They may also be substituted with halogen (e.g. F, Cl), NH₂, NO₂ or hydroxyl. Preferably, they may be substituted with up to 10 halogen atoms or more preferably up to 5 halogens. For example, they may be substituted by 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 halogen atoms. Preferably, the halogen is fluorine.

As used herein, “aryl” means a monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic monovalent or divalent (as appropriate) aromatic radical, such as phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, which can be optionally substituted with up to five substituents preferably selected from the group of C₁-C₆ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁-C₃ hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, C₁-C₃ haloalkoxy, amino, C₁-C₃ mono alkylamino, C₁-C₃ bis alkylamino, C₁-C₃ acylamino, C₁-C₃ aminoalkyl, mono(C₁-C₃ alkyl)amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, bis(C₁-C₃ alkyl)amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃-acylamino, C₁-C₃ alkyl sulfonylamino, halo, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, carboxy, C₁-C₃ alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, bis C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, —SO₃H, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminosulfonyl and bis C₁-C₃-alkyl aminosulfonyl.

As used herein, heteroaryl means a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic monovalent or divalent (as appropriate) aromatic radical containing up to four heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, such as thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, tetrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thienyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, indolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, said radical being optionally substituted with up to three substituents preferably selected from the group of C₁-C₆ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁-C₃ hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, C₁-C₃ haloalkoxy, amino, C₁-C₃ mono alkylamino, C₁-C₃ bis alkylamino, C₁-C₃ acylamino, C₁-C₃ aminoalkyl, mono(C₁-C₃ alkyl)amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, bis(C₁-C₃ alkyl)amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃-acylamino, C₁-C₃ alkyl sulfonylamino, halo, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, carboxy, C₁-C₃ alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, bis C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, —SO₃H, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminosulfonyl and bis C₁-C₃-alkyl aminosulfonyl.

Preferred L groups are thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiadiazolyl and oxadiazolyl.

In the compounds of the invention, certain heteroaryl groups (i.e. L or Y) are attached to R′. However, they may still be substituted by up to three additional substituents, selected from the groups defined above.

As used herein, the term “heterocycle” or “heterocycloalkyl” is a mono- or di-valent carbocyclic radical containing up to 4 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. It may be monocyclic or bicyclic. It is preferably saturated. The word ‘linker’ has been used herein to mean di-valent. If the heterocycle is a di-valent linker, the heterocycle may be attached to neighbouring groups through a carbon atom, or through on of the heteroatoms, e.g. a N. Examples of heterocycles are piperazine or morpholine.

The heterocyclic ring may be mono- or di-unsaturated. The radical may be optionally substituted with up to three substituents independently selected from C₁-C₆ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁-C₃ hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, C₁-C₃ haloalkoxy, amino, C₁-C₃ mono alkylamino, C₁-C₃ bis alkylamino, C₁-C₃ acylamino, C₁-C₃ aminoalkyl, mono(C₁-C₃ alkyl)amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, bis(C₁-C₃ alkyl)amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃-acylamino, C₁-C₃ alkyl sulfonylamino, halo e.g. F, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, carboxy, C₁-C₃ alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, bis C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, —SO₃H, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminosulfonyl and bis C₁-C₃-alkyl aminosulfonyl.

As used herein, the above groups can be followed by the suffix-ene. This means that the group is divalent, i.e. a linker group.

Preferred Groups of the Invention

The group W is a zinc-chelating residue, i.e. a metallophile capable of binding with zinc in the active site of HDAC. Suitable metallophiles are known to those skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, W is selected from:

wherein R₁ is as defined in claim 1, Pr² is H or a thiol protecting group, Z is selected from O, S or NH and T is N or CH.

When W is COOR₁, preferably R₁ is not halogen. More preferably, when W is COOR₁, R₁ is H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl.

Preferably, W is —COOH, COOMe, —CONHOH, —CONHSO₂CH₃, —CONHNHSO₂CH₃, —CONHNH₂, —CONH(2-pyridyl), —NHCONHOH, tetrazole, hydroxypyridin-2-thione or hydroxypyridin-2-one. Preferably W is not COOR₁. More preferably, W is COOMe, —CONHOH, CONHSO₂CH₃, —CONHNHSO₂CH₃, —CONHNH₂, —CONH(2-pyridyl) —NHCONHOH, tetrazole, hydroxypyridin-2-thione or hydroxypyridin-2-one. Even more preferably, W is —CONHOH, tetrazole, hydroxypyridin-2-thione or hydroxypyridin-2-one. Most preferably, W is —CONHOH.

Preferably, n is 3 to 7. More preferably, n is 6 or 7.

In a preferred embodiment, X

is N— or, X

is C═. Preferably, X

is N.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one R^(/) is H, halogen (preferably F), C₁-C₁₀ alkyl or O—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl). Preferably, at least one R^(/) is substituted or unsubstituted aryl or O-(substituted or unsubstituted aryl). Preferably, at least one R^(/) is aryl or O-aryl, each of which may be substituted with a halogen, amino or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl. The aryl may be substituted in any position. The aryl may be mono-, bis-, or tri-substituted.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one R^(/) is H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl or O—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl). Preferably, at least one R^(/) is substituted or unsubstituted aryl or O— (substituted or unsubstituted aryl). Preferably, at least one R^(/) is aryl or O-aryl, each of which may be substituted with a halogen, amino or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl. The aryl may be substituted in any position. The aryl may be mono-, bis-, or tri-substituted.

R^(/) may be substituted onto any of the ring atoms of the L or Y groups, i.e. the nitrogen-containing heteroaryl group. The nitrogen-containing heteroaryl may be benzofused, and the R^(/) may be substituted onto the benzo-portion of the L or Y group.

Preferably, Q is a direct bond or —O—. More preferably, Q is a direct bond.

Preferably, R₁ is halogen (preferably F), C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl or C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, preferably substituted with halogen, NH₂, NO₂ or hydroxyl. More preferably, R₁ is C₁-C₁₀ alkyl substituted with halogen which is preferably fluorine. The C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group may be substituted by up to 10 halogen atoms or preferably, by up to 5 halogen atoms, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 halogen atoms. For example, R₁ may be CF₃, CHF₂, CH₂CF₃, CH₂CHF₂ or CF₂CF₃. This means that R^(/) may be CF₃, CHF₂, CH₂CF₃, CH₂CHF₂ or CF₂CF₃ or OCF₃, OCHF₂, OCH₂CF₃, OCH₂CHF₂ or OCF₂CF₃.

Preferably, R₁ is C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl or C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, preferably substituted with halogen, NH₂, NO₂ or hydroxyl. More preferably, R₁ is C₁-C₁₀ alkyl substituted with halogen which is preferably fluorine. The C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group may be substituted by up to 10 halogen atoms or preferably, by up to 5 halogen atoms, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 halogen atoms. For example, R₁ may be CF₃, CHF₂, CH₂CF₃, CH₂CHF₂ or CF₂CF₃. This means that R^(/) may be CF₃, CHF₂, CH₂CF₃, CH₂CHF₂ or CF₂CF₃ or OCF₃, OCHF₂, OCH₂CF₃, OCH₂CHF₂ or OCF₂CF₃.

In a preferred embodiment, R is H or C₁ to C₆ alkyl.

In a preferred embodiment, L and/or Y is a hydrogen bond-acceptor, and preferably not also a hydrogen bond donor. Preferably, L and/or Y does not have a hydrogen atom attached to an electronegative atom, such as N or O. More preferably, L is not pyrrole or benzofused pyrrole. More preferably, L, most preferably L and Y, are hydrogen-bond acceptors.

The definitions of hydrogen bond acceptors/donors are known to those skilled in the art. For example, a hydrogen bond donor will have a hydrogen attached to an electronegative atom, such as N or O. For example, a hydrogen bond acceptor will have a N or O, which has a free lone pair.

Preferably in at least one, preferably both, of L and Y, the atom that is directly bonded to X is a carbon, and at least one nitrogen atom is directly bonded to said carbon (preferably via a double bond). More preferably, said nitrogen atom is a hydrogen bond acceptor.

Preferably, in addition to a N atom, L contains at least one other heteroatom in the heteroaryl ring which is selected from N, O or S.

In a preferred embodiment, L is:

In a preferred embodiment, Y is:

A pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises a compound as defined above, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. A pharmaceutical composition of the invention typically contains up to 85 wt % of a compound of the invention. More typically, it contains up to 50 wt % of a compound of the invention. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions are sterile and pyrogen-free. Further, the pharmaceutical compositions provided by the invention typically contain a compound of the invention which is a substantially pure optical isomer. Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form of a compound of the invention.

As used herein, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base. Pharmaceutically acceptable acids include both inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, diphosphoric, hydrobromic or nitric acid and organic acids such as citric, fumaric, maleic, malic, ascorbic, succinic, tartaric, benzoic, acetic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, ethanedisulfonic, salicylic, stearic, benzenesulfonic or p-toluenesulfonic acid. Pharmaceutically acceptable bases include alkali metal (e.g. sodium or potassium) and alkali earth metal (e.g. calcium or magnesium) hydroxides and organic bases such as alkyl amines, aryl amines or heterocyclic amines.

For the avoidance of doubt, the present invention also embraces prodrugs which react in vivo to give a compound of the present invention.

The compounds of the present invention are found to be inhibitors of HDAC. The compounds of the present invention are therefore therapeutically useful in the treatment of conditions affected by HDAC activity.

The compounds of the invention may be prepared by synthetic routes that will be apparent to those skilled in the art, e.g. based on the Examples.

The compounds of the present invention are found to be inhibitors of HDAC. The compounds of the present invention are therefore therapeutically useful.

The compounds of the invention and compositions comprising them may be administered in a variety of dosage forms. In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention may be formulated in a format suitable for oral, rectal, parenteral, intranasal or transdermal administration or administration by inhalation or by suppository. Typical routes of administration are parenteral, intranasal or transdermal administration or administration by inhalation.

The compounds of the invention can be administered orally, for example as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are compositions suitable for oral administration, for example tablets and capsules.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered parenterally, whether subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intrasternally, transdermally or by infusion techniques. The compounds may also be administered as suppositories.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered by inhalation. An advantage of inhaled medications is their direct delivery to the area of rich blood supply in comparison to many medications taken by oral route. Thus, the absorption is very rapid as the alveoli have an enormous surface area and rich blood supply and first pass metabolism is bypassed. A further advantage may be to treat diseases of the pulmonary system, such that delivering drugs by inhalation delivers them to the proximity of the cells which are required to be treated.

The present invention also provides an inhalation device containing such a pharmaceutical composition. Typically said device is a metered dose inhaler (MDI), which contains a pharmaceutically acceptable chemical propellant to push the medication out of the inhaler.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered by intranasal administration. The nasal cavity's highly permeable tissue is very receptive to medication and absorbs it quickly and efficiently, more so than drugs in tablet form. Nasal drug delivery is less painful and invasive than injections, generating less anxiety among patients. By this method absorption is very rapid and first pass metabolism is usually bypassed, thus reducing inter-patient variability. Further, the present invention also provides an intranasal device containing such a pharmaceutical composition.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered by transdermal administration. The present invention therefore also provides a transdermal patch containing a compound of the invention.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered by sublingual administration. The present invention therefore also provides a sub-lingual tablet comprising a compound of the invention.

A compound of the invention may also be formulated with an agent which reduces degradation of the substance by processes other than the normal metabolism of the patient, such as anti-bacterial agents, or inhibitors of protease enzymes which might be the present in the patient or in commensural or parasite organisms living on or within the patient, and which are capable of degrading the compound.

Liquid dispersions for oral administration may be syrups, emulsions and suspensions.

Suspensions and emulsions may contain as carrier, for example a natural gum, agar, sodium alginate, pectin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or polyvinyl alcohol. The suspension or solutions for intramuscular injections may contain, together with the active compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. sterile water, olive oil, ethyl oleate, glycols, e.g. propylene glycol, and if desired, a suitable amount of lidocaine hydrochloride.

Solutions for injection or infusion may contain as carrier, for example, sterile water or preferably they may be in the form of sterile, aqueous, isotonic saline solutions.

In one embodiment the compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with another known inhibitor of HDAC, such as SAHA. In this embodiment, the combination product may be formulated such that it comprises each of the medicaments for simultaneous, separate or sequential use.

The compounds of the present invention can be used in both the treatment and prevention of cancer and can be used in a monotherapy or in a combination therapy. When used in a combination therapy, the compounds of the present invention are typically used together with small chemical compounds such as platinum complexes, anti-metabolites, DNA topoisomerase inhibitors, radiation, antibody-based therapies (for example herceptin and rituximab), anti-cancer vaccination, gene therapy, cellular therapies, hormone therapies or cytokine therapy.

In one embodiment of the invention a compound of the invention is used in combination with another chemotherapeutic or antineoplastic agent in the treatment of a cancer. Examples of such other chemotherapeutic or antineoplastic agents include platinum complexes including cisplatin and carboplatin, mitoxantrone, vinca alkaloids for example vincristine and vinblastine, anthracycline antibiotics for example daunorubicin and doxorubicin, alkylating agents for example chlorambucil and melphalan, taxanes for example paclitaxel, antifolates for example methotrexate and tomudex, epipodophyllotoxins for example etoposide, camptothecins for example irinotecan and its active metabolite SN38 and DNA methylation inhibitors for example the DNA methylation inhibitors disclosed in WO02/085400.

According to the invention, therefore, products are provided which contain a compound of the invention and another chemotherapeutic or antineoplastic agent as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in alleviating a cancer. Also provided according to the invention is the use of compound of the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the alleviation of cancer by coadministration with another chemotherapeutic or antineoplastic agent. The compound of the invention and the said other agent may be administrated in any order. In both these cases the compound of the invention and the other agent may be administered together or, if separately, in any order as determined by a physician.

HDAC is believed to contribute to the pathology and/or symptomology of several different diseases such that reduction of the activity of HDAC in a subject through inhibition of HDAC may be used to therapeutically address these disease states. Examples of various diseases that may be treated using the HDAC inhibitors of the present invention are described herein.

One set of indications that HDAC inhibitors of the present invention may be used to treat is those involving undesirable or uncontrolled cell proliferation. Such indications include benign tumours, various types of cancers such as primary tumours and tumour metastasis, restenosis (e.g. coronary, carotid, and cerebral lesions), abnormal stimulation of endothelial cells (atherosclerosis), insults to body tissue due to surgery, abnormal wound healing, abnormal angiogenesis, diseases that produce fibrosis of tissue, repetitive motion disorders, disorders of tissues that are not highly vascularized, and proliferative responses associated with organ transplants. More specific indications for HDAC inhibitors include, but are not limited to prostate cancer, lung cancer, acute leukaemia, multiple myeloma, bladder carcinoma, renal carcinoma, breast carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, neuroblastoma and melanoma.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for treating diseases associated with undesired and uncontrolled cell proliferation. The method comprises administering to a subject suffering from uncontrolled cell proliferation a therapeutically effective amount of a HDAC inhibitor according to the present invention, such that said uncontrolled cell proliferation is reduced. The particular dosage of the inhibitor to be used will depend on the severity of the disease state, the route of administration, and related factors that can be determined by the attending physician. Generally, acceptable and effective daily doses are amounts sufficient to effectively slow or eliminate uncontrolled cell proliferation.

HDAC inhibitors according to the present invention may also be used in conjunction with other agents to inhibit undesirable and uncontrolled cell proliferation. Examples of other anti-cell proliferation agents that may be used in conjunction with the HDAC inhibitors of the present invention include, but are not limited to, retinoid acid and derivatives thereof, 2-methoxyestradiol, Angiostatin™ protein, Endostatin™ protein, suramin, squalamine, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-I, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-2, cartilage-derived inhibitor, paclitaxel, platelet factor 4, protamine sulfate (clupeine), sulfated chitin derivatives (prepared from queen crab shells), sulfated polysaccharide peptidoglycan complex (sp-pg), staurosporine, modulators of matrix metabolism, including for example, proline analogs ((1-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (LACA), cishydroxyproline, d,l-3,4-dehydroproline, thiaproline), beta-aminopropionitrile fumarate, 4-propyl-5-(4-pyridinyl)-2(3H)-oxazolone; methotrexate, mitoxantrone, heparin, interferons, 2 macroglobulin-serum, chimp-3, chymostatin, beta-cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate, eponemycin; fumagillin, gold sodium thiomalate, d-penicillamine (CDPT), beta-1-anticollagenase-serum, alpha-2-antiplasmin, bisantrene, lobenzarit disodium, n-(2-carboxyphenyl-4-chloroanthronilic acid disodium or “CCA”, thalidomide; angiostatic steroid, carboxyaminoimidazole; metalloproteinase inhibitors such as BB94. Other anti-angiogenesis agents that may be used include antibodies, preferably monoclonal antibodies against these angiogenic growth factors: bFGF, aFGF, FGF-5, VEGF isoforms, VEGF-C, HGF/SF and Ang-1/Ang-2. Ferrara N. and Alitalo, K. “Clinical application of angiogenic growth factors and their inhibitors” (1999) Nature Medicine 5:1359-1364.

Generally, cells in benign tumours retain their differentiated features and do not divide in a completely uncontrolled manner. A benign tumour is usually localized and nonmetastatic. Specific types of benign tumours that can be treated using HDAC inhibitors of the present invention include hemangiomas, hepatocellular adenoma, cavernous haemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, acoustic neuromas, neurofibroma, bile duct adenoma, bile duct cystanoma, fibroma, lipomas, leiomyomas, mesotheliomas, teratomas, myxomas, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, trachomas and pyogenic granulomas.

In the case of malignant tumors, cells become undifferentiated, do not respond to the body's growth control signals, and multiply in an uncontrolled manner. Malignant tumors are invasive and capable of spreading to distant sites (metastasizing). Malignant tumors are generally divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary tumors arise directly from the tissue in which they are found. Secondary tumours, or metastases, are tumours that originated elsewhere in the body but have now spread to distant organs. Common routes for metastasis are direct growth into adjacent structures, spread through the vascular or lymphatic systems, and tracking along tissue planes and body spaces (peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, etc.).

Specific types of cancers or malignant tumours, either primary or secondary, that can be treated using the HDAC inhibitors of the present invention include, but are not limited to, leukaemia, breast cancer, skin cancer, bone cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, cancer of the larynx, gallbladder, pancreas, rectum, parathyroid, thyroid, adrenal, neural tissue, head and neck, colon, stomach, bronchi, kidneys, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of both ulcerating and papillary type, metastatic skin carcinoma, osteo sarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, veticulum cell sarcoma, myeloma, giant cell tumour, small-cell lung tumour, gallstones, islet cell tumour, primary brain tumour, acute and chronic lymphocytic and granulocytic tumours, hairy-cell tumour, adenoma, hyperplasia, medullary carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, mucosal neuromas, intestinal ganglloneuromas, hyperplastic corneal nerve tumour, marfanoid habitus tumour, Wilms' tumour, seminoma, ovarian tumour, leiomyomater tumour, cervical dysplasia and in situ carcinoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, soft tissue sarcoma, malignant carcinoid, topical skin lesion, mycosis fungoide, rhabdomyosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, osteogenic and other sarcoma, malignant hypercalcemia, renal cell tumour, polycythermia vera, adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma multiforme, leukemias, lymphomas, malignant melanomas, epidermoid carcinomas, and other carcinomas and sarcomas.

The HDAC inhibitors of the present invention may also be used to treat abnormal cell proliferation due to insults to body tissue during surgery. These insults may arise as a result of a variety of surgical procedures such as joint surgery, bowel surgery, and cheloid scarring. Diseases that produce fibrotic tissue that may be treated using the HDAC inhibitors of the present invention include emphysema. Repetitive motion disorders that may be treated using the present invention include carpal tunnel syndrome. An example of a cell proliferative disorder that may be treated using the invention is a bone tumour.

Proliferative responses associated with organ transplantation that may be treated using HDAC inhibitors of the invention include proliferative responses contributing to potential organ rejections or associated complications. Specifically, these proliferative responses may occur during transplantation of the heart, lung, liver, kidney, and other body organs or organ systems.

Abnormal angiogenesis that may be treated using this invention include those abnormal angiogenesis accompanying rheumatoid arthritis, ischemic-reperfusion related brain edema and injury, cortical ischemia, ovarian hyperplasia and hypervascularity, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, psoriasis, diabetic retinopathy, and other ocular angiogenic diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity (retrolental fibroplastic), macular degeneration, corneal graft rejection, neuroscular glaucoma and Oster Webber syndrome.

Examples of diseases associated with uncontrolled angiogenesis that may be treated according to the present invention include, but are not limited to retinal/choroidal neovascularization and corneal neovascularization. Examples of diseases which include some component of retinal/choroidal neovascularization include, but are not limited to, Best's diseases, myopia, optic pits, Stargart's diseases, Paget's disease, vein occlusion, artery occlusion, sickle cell anemia, sarcoid, syphilis, pseudoxanthoma elasticum carotid apo structive diseases, chronic uveitis/vitritis, mycobacterial infections, Lyme's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, retinopathy of prematurity, Eale's disease, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, Bechet's diseases, infections causing a retinitis or chroiditis, presumed ocular histoplasmosis, pars planitis, chronic retinal detachment, hyperviscosity syndromes, toxoplasmosis, trauma and post-laser complications, diseases associated with rubesis (neovascularization of the angle) and diseases caused by the abnormal proliferation of fibrovascular or fibrous tissue including all forms of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Examples of corneal neovascularization include, but are not limited to, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, Vitamin A deficiency, contact lens overwear, atopic keratitis, superior limbic keratitis, pterygium keratitis sicca, sjogrens, acne rosacea, phylectenulosis, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, corneal graft rejection, Mooren ulcer, Terrien's marginal degeneration, marginal keratolysis, polyarteritis, Wegener sarcoidosis, Scleritis, periphigoid radial keratotomy, neovascular glaucoma and retrolental fibroplasia, syphilis, Mycobacteria infections, lipid degeneration, chemical burns, bacterial ulcers, fungal ulcers, Herpes simplex infections, Herpes zoster infections, protozoan infections and Kaposi sarcoma.

Chronic inflammatory diseases associated with uncontrolled angiogenesis may also be treated using HDAC inhibitors of the present invention. Chronic inflammation depends on continuous formation of capillary sprouts to maintain an influx of inflammatory cells. The influx and presence of the inflammatory cells produce granulomas and thus maintains the chronic inflammatory state. Inhibition of angiogenesis using a HDAC inhibitor alone or in conjunction with other anti-inflammatory agents may prevent the formation of the granulosmas and thus alleviate the disease. Examples of chronic inflammatory diseases include, but are not limited to, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, sarcoidosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are characterized by chronic inflammation and angiogenesis at various sites in the gastrointestinal tract. For example, Crohn's disease occurs as a chronic transmural inflammatory disease that most commonly affects the distal ileum and colon but may also occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus and perianal area. Patients with Crohn's disease generally have chronic diarrhoea associated with abdominal pain, fever, anorexia, weight loss and abdominal swelling. Ulcerative colitis is also a chronic, nonspecific, inflammatory and ulcerative disease arising in the colonic mucosa and is characterized by the presence of bloody diarrhoea. These inflammatory bowel diseases are generally caused by chronic granulomatous inflammation throughout the gastrointestinal tract, involving new capillary sprouts surrounded by a cylinder of inflammatory cells. Inhibition of angiogenesis by these inhibitors should inhibit the formation of the sprouts and prevent the formation of granulomas. Inflammatory bowel diseases also exhibit extra intestinal manifestations, such as skin lesions. Such lesions are characterized by inflammation and angiogenesis and can occur at many sites other the gastrointestinal tract. Inhibition of angiogenesis by HDAC inhibitors according to the present invention can reduce the influx of inflammatory cells and prevent lesion formation.

Sarcoidosis, another chronic inflammatory disease, is characterized as a multisystem granulomatous disorder. The granulomas of this disease can form anywhere in the body. Thus, the symptoms depend on the site of the granulomas and whether the disease is active. The granulomas are created by the angiogenic capillary sprouts providing a constant supply of inflammatory cells. By using HDAC inhibitors according to the present invention to inhibit angiogenesis, such granulomas formation can be inhibited. Psoriasis, also a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease, is characterized by papules and plaques of various sizes. Treatment using these inhibitors alone or in conjunction with other anti-inflammatory agents should prevent the formation of new blood vessels necessary to maintain the characteristic lesions and provide the patient relief from the symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is also a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non-specific inflammation of the peripheral joints. It is believed that the blood vessels in the synovial lining of the joints undergo angiogenesis. In addition to forming new vascular networks, the endothelial cells release factors and reactive oxygen species that lead to pannus growth and cartilage destruction. The factors involved in angiogenesis may actively contribute to, and help maintain, the chronically inflamed state of rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment using HDAC inhibitors according to the present invention alone or in conjunction with other anti-RA agents may prevent the formation of new blood vessels necessary to maintain the chronic inflammation.

The compounds of the present invention can further be used in the treatment of cardiac/vasculature diseases such as hypertrophy, hypertension, myocardial infarction, reperfusion, ischaemic heart disease, angina, arryhtmias, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis and stroke. The compounds can further be used to treat neurodegenerative disorders/CNS disorders such as acute and chronic neurological diseases, including stroke, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

The compounds of the present invention can also be used as antimicrobial agents, for example antibacterial agents. The invention therefore also provides a compound for use in the treatment of a bacterial infection. The compounds of the present invention can be used as anti-infectious compounds against viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. Examples of infections include protozoal parasitic infections (including plasmodium, cryptosporidium parvum, toxoplasma gondii, sarcocystis neurona and Eimeria sp.)

The compounds of the present invention are particularly suitable for the treatment of undesirable or uncontrolled cell proliferation, preferably for the treatment of benign tumours/hyperplasias and malignant tumours, more preferably for the treatment of malignant tumours and most preferably for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, T-cell lymphoma.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds of the invention are used to alleviate cancer, cardiac hypertrophy, chronic heart failure, an inflammatory condition, a cardiovascular disease, a haemoglobinopathy, a thalassemia, a sickle cell disease, a CNS disorder, an autoimmune disease, organ transplant rejection, diabetes, osteoporosis, MDS, benign prostatic hyperplasia, oral leukoplakia, a genentically related metabolic disorder, an infection, Rubens-Taybi, fragile X syndrome, or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or to accelerate wound healing, to protect hair follicles or as an immunosuppressant.

Typically, said inflammatory condition is a skin inflammatory condition (for example psoriasis, acne and eczema), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease or colitis.

Typically, said cancer is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, mesothelioma or T-cell lymphoma.

Typically, said cardiovascular disease is hypertension, myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (reperfusion), angina pectoris, arrhythmia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidaemia, atherosclerosis, stroke, myocarditis, congestive heart failure, primary and secondary i.e. dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, peripheral vascular disease, tachycardia, high blood pressure or thrombosis.

Typically, said genentically related metabolic disorder is cystic fibrosis (CF), peroxisome biogenesis disorder or adrenoleukodystrophy.

Typically, the compounds of the invention are used as an immunosuppressant following organ transplant.

Typically, said infection is a viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection, in particular an infection by S. aureus, P. acne, candida or aspergillus.

Typically, said CNS disorder is Huntingdon's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

In this embodiment, the compounds of the invention may be used to alleviate cancer, cardiac hypertrophy, chronic heart failure, an inflammatory condition, a cardiovascular disease, a haemoglobinopathy, a thalassemia, a sickle cell disease, a CNS disorder, an autoimmune disease, diabetes or osteoporosis, or are used as an immunosuppressant.

The compounds of the invention may also be used to alleviate chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, T-cell lymphoma, cardiac hypertrophy, chronic heart failure or a skin inflammatory condition, in particular psoriasis, acne or eczema.

The compounds of the present invention can be used in the treatment of animals, preferably in the treatment of mammals and more preferably in the treatment of humans.

The compounds of the invention may, where appropriate, be used prophylactically to reduce the incidence of such conditions.

In use, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention is administered to a patient. A typical dose is from about 0.001 to 50 mg per kg of body weight, according to the activity of the specific compound, the age, weight and conditions of the subject to be treated, the type and severity of the disease and the frequency and route of administration.

Compounds of the invention may be tested for HDAC inhibitory activity by any suitable assay, e.g. the assay described in WO2008/062201.

The following Examples illustrate the invention.

Example A: N-Hydroxy-7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino]heptanamide

a. N-(3-Methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3)

5-Chloro-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1 (362 mg, 2.69 mmol), 2-aminopyridine, 2 (460 mg, 2.69 mmol), tBuOK (453 mg, 4.03 mmol), (±) BINAP (67 mg, 0.10 mmol) and Pd₂(dba)₃ (61 mg, 0.07 mmol) were stirred in toluene (5 mL) at 90° C. under Ar(g) for 25 h. The reaction mixture was subsequently diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL); silica was then added and the solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The resulting dry loaded material was purified by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with hexanes/EtOAc (6:1-2:1) to furnish 3 as a white solid (360 mg, 68%).

LCMS (ES): found 193.1 [MH]⁺.

b. Ethyl-7-[(3-Methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino]heptanoate (4)

NaH (75 mg, 1.97 mmol) was added to N-(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5H)pyridin-2-amine, 3 (360 mg, 1.87 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at rt. After 15 min, ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (690 mg, 2.43 mmol) was added, and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 3 h under Ar(g). Once cooled to rt, the reaction mixture was poured onto brine (100 mL) and was then extracted twice with EtOAc (2×25 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and subsequently evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with hexanes/EtOAc (9:1-4:1) to furnish 4 as colourless oil (385 mg, 59%).

LCMS (ES): found 349.3 [MH]⁺.

c. N-Hydroxy-7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino]heptanamide Example A

A freshly prepared solution of NH₂OH in MeOH (1M, 25 mL) was added to 7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino]heptanoate, 4 (355 mg, 1.02 mmol) at 0° C. followed by KOH solubilised in MeOH (2M, 5 mL). The reaction mixture was then stirred at it for 21 h, was subsequently concentrated in vacuo (to 5 mL), then poured onto brine (50 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×25 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and subsequently evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (25:1-20:1), to provide N-hydroxy-7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino]heptanamide, Example A, as a white solid (184 mg, 54%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, Methanol-d₄) δ_(H) (ppm): 1.37-1.53 (m, 4H), 1.64 (dt, J=14.7 Hz, 7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.81 (dt, J=14.3 Hz, 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.10 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.48 (s, 3H), 4.45 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.12 (dd, J=7.3, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (ddd, J=8.7 Hz, 7.2 Hz, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 8.49 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H).

LCMS (ES): found 336.0 [MH]⁺.

Example B N-Hydroxy-7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-3-yl)amino]heptanamide

i. Ethyl 7-iodoheptanoate (X)

Sodium iodide (1.0 g, 6.67 mmol) was added to ethyl 7-bromoheptanoate (1.5 g, 5.97 mmol) in acetone (30 mL) and stirred with heating at 60° C. for 18 h. On cooling, TBME (30 mL) was added and the salts were filtered-off and washed with TBME (2×20 mL). The filtrate was then evaporated and the residue was treated with TBME (30 mL), this was then filtered, washed with TBME (2×20 mL) and evaporated, to afford (X) as an oil (1.8 g, 91%).

ii. N-Hydroxy-7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-3-yl)amino]heptanamide (B)

A mixture of 3-aminopyridine (2) (0.32 g, 3.4 mmol), 5-chloro-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole (1) (0.45 g, 3.34 mmol), potassium t-butoxide (0.57 g, 5.1 mmol) and ±BINAP (85 mg, 4 mol %) in toluene (10 mL) was degassed by bubbling N₂(g) through for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (78 mg, 2.5 mol %) was added and degassed by bubbling N₂(g) through for 10 min, and the reaction mixture was then heated with stirring at 90° C. After 18 h, the reaction mixture was cooled, diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and evaporated onto silica. Purification on silica, eluting with petrol/EtOAc (1:1-0:1), afforded a yellow solid. This solid was subsequently dissolved in CH₂Cl₂/methanol (1:1) (100 mL) and was gently stirred with MP-TMT resin (0.57 g). After 1 day, the resin was removed by filtration, and the filtrate was evaporated to furnish (3) as a solid (340 mg, 51%).

LCMS (ES): found 193.0 [MH]⁺.

NaH (60% in oil) (78 mg) was added to a solution of N-(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-amine (3) (340 mg, 1.77 mmol) in DMF (10 mL). After 1 h, ethyl 7-iodoheptanoate (X) (650 mg, 2.2 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture heated under N₂(g) with stirring, at 70° C. After 18 h, the reaction mixture was cooled, poured onto saturated brine solution and extracted with EtOAc (×3). The combined organic fractions were washed with saturated brine solution, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Purification on silica eluting with petrol/EtOAc (1:1-1:3) furnished (4) an orange oil (500 mg, 81%).

LCMS (ES): found 349.0 [MH]⁺.

50% Hydroxylamine aqueous solution (4 mL) was added to a solution of ethyl 7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-3-yl)amino]heptanoate (4) (250 mg, 0.71 mmol) in methanol (4 mL), and the resulting solution was stirred at 30° C. for 24 h. Further 50% hydroxylamine aqueous solution (2 mL) was then added, and heating was continued at 30° C. for an additional 24 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated and azeotroped with toluene (×2). Purification on silica, eluting with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (1:0-8:1), afforded N-hydroxy-7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-3-yl)amino]heptanamide, Example B, as an orange oil (5 mg, 2%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d) δ: 8.49-8.79 (m, 2H), 7.84 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 3.93 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 3H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 2.04-2.24 (m, 2H), 1.55-1.75 (m, 4H), 1.28-1.42 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): found 336.0 [MH]⁺.

Example C N-Hydroxy-7-((3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (1.0 g, 6.32 mmol), 3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (2) (0.94 g, 9.49 mmol), Xantphos (0.37 g, 0.63 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (4.1 g, 12.64 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.28 g, 0.31 mmol) was then added to the reaction mixture, which was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured into demineralized water (200 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide 3-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (3) as a white solid (0.70 g, 63%).

LCMS (ES): Found 177.1 [MH]⁺.

NaH (60%) (42 mg, 1.01 mmol) was added portion-wise to 3-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (3) (178 mg, 1.01 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (373 mg, 1.3 mmol) was then added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in dark. The reaction mixture was then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to ethyl 7-((3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a white solid (134 mg, 40%).

LCMS (ES): Found 333.3 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared [KOH (1.13 g, 20.18 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.40 g, 20.18 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C.]. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; it was then added to (4) (134 mg, 0.40 mmol), and was then treated with KOH (226 mg, 4.03 mmol) solubilised in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 21 h, and then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (15 mL/35 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-7-((3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide, Example C, as a light yellow solid (46 mg, 40%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (br. s., 1H), 8.66 (br. s., 1H), 8.42-8.49 (m, 1H), 7.84-7.94 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.25 (m, 1H), 4.15 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 1.90 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.57-1.68 (m, 2H), 1.40-1.50 (m, 2H), 1.19-1.32 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 320.1[MH]+.

Example D N-Hydroxy-8-((3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide

i. Ethyl 8-iodooctanoate

A mixture of ethyl 8-bromooctanoate (5 g, 19.9 mmol) and sodium iodide (2.98 g, 19.9 mmol) in Acetone (50 mL) was heated at 60° C. under nitrogen for 18 h. The reaction mixture was then concentrated under vacuum. Purification by silica gel column chromatography, using EtOAc/Hexane (1:90) as eluant, provided ethyl 8-iodooctanoate as a colourless liquid (5.5 g, 93.2%).

LCMS (ES): Found 299.2 [MH]+.

ii. N-hydroxy-8-((3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide (D)

NaH (60%) (35 mg, 0.85 mmol) was added portion-wise to 3-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (3) (150 mg, 0.85 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (330 mg, 1.1 mmol) was then added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to furnish ethyl 8-((3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a white solid (134 mg, 40%).

LCMS (ES): Found 347.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared [KOH (1.09 g, 19.50 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.35 g, 19.50 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C.]. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to (4) (135 mg, 0.39 mmol), and was then treated with KOH (218 mg, 3.9 mmol) solubilised in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 21 h, and then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (15 mL/35 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×300 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) provide N-hydroxy-8-((3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide, Example D, as a yellow solid (12.2 mg, 40%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.44 (dt, J=4.7, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.82-7.87 (m, 2H), 7.21 (td, J=5.1, 2.9 Hz, 1H), 4.16-4.25 (m, 2H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.06 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.66-1.76 (m, 2H), 1.53-1.64 (m, 2H), 1.30-1.41 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 334.3 [MH]+.

Example E N-Hydroxy-7-((1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (1.0 g, 6.3 mmol), 1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (2) (0.79 g, 8.2 mmol), Xantphos (0.37 g, 0.63 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (4.1 g, 12.6 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was then degassed with N₂(g), and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.29 g, 0.31 mmol) was added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.75 g, 68%).

LCMS (ES): Found 175.2 [MH]⁺.

NaH (60%) (48 mg, 1.2 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3) (200 mg, 1.1 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The resulting reaction mixture was stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (428 mg, 1.5 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was then stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark; it was then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-((1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (170 mg, 44%).

LCMS (ES): Found 331.4 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared [KOH (1.44 g, 25.7 mmol) in MeOH (5 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.7 g, 25.7 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; it was then added to (4) (170 mg, 0.51 mmol), and was then treated with KOH (288 mg, 5.1 mmol) solubilised in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, and then concentrated in vacuo (ca. 200 mL), poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-7-((1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide, Example E, as a yellow liquid (45 mg, 26%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.32 (br. s, 1H), 8.66 (br. s., 1H), 8.14 (dd, J=4.8, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 6.65 (dd, J=6.4, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 6.12 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.82-3.90 (m, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 1.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.55 (br. s., 1H), 1.39-1.50 (m, 2H), 1.11-1.33 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 318.2 [MH]⁺.

Example F N-Hydroxy-8-((1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (1.0 g, 6.3 mmol), 1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (2) (0.79 g, 8.2 mmol), Xantphos (0.366 g, 0.63 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (4.1 g, 12.6 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.289 g, 0.31 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was then heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.75 g, 68%).

LCMS (ES): Found 175.2 [MH]⁺.

NaH (60%) (60.3 mg, 1.5 mmol) was added portion-wise to (3) (250 mg, 1.4 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (556 mg, 1.8 mmol) was added. It was then stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:70) to furnish ethyl 8-((1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (60 mg, 20%).

LCMS (ES): Found 345.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared [KOH (578 mg, 10.3 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (716 mg, 10.3 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C.]. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to (4) (71 mg, 0.20 mmol), and was then treated with KOH (115 mg, 2.06 mmol) solubilised in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 21 h, and then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-8-((1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide, Example F, as a light yellow semi solid (15 mg, 21%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.08 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.39-7.47 (m, 1H), 6.62-6.74 (m, 2H), 6.12 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.82-3.91 (m, 5H), 2.07 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.51-1.70 (m, 4H), 1.22-1.40 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 332.2 [MH]+.

Example G N-Hydroxy-7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (1.0 g, 6.3 mmol), 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (2) (0.64 g, 6.3 mmol), Xantphos (0.366 g, 0.63 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (3.09 g, 9.4 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.289 g, 0.31 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was then heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.33 g, 30%).

LCMS (ES): Found 179.0 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (32.8 mg, 0.8 mmol) was added portion-wise to (3) (126 mg, 0.78 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (288 mg, 1.0 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanoate as a yellowish semi solid (110 mg, 44%).

LCMS (ES): Found 335.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.84 g, 32.9 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (2.28 g, 32.9 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (220 mg, 0.65 mmol) followed by KOH (369 mg, 6.58 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ 1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanamide, Example G, as a yellow liquid (7 mg, 3%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.89 (s, 1H), 8.41 (dd, J=4.8, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (ddd, J=8.6, 7.2, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (dd, J=7.0, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 4.37-4.48 (m, 2H), 2.10 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.82 (dt, J=15.0, 7.6 Hz, 2H), 1.64 (dt, J=14.5, 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.37-1.54 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 322.1 [MH]+.

Example H N-Hydroxy-8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)octanamide

NaH (60%) (41.0 mg, 1.03 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (3) (as per Example G above) (176 mg, 0.98 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (382 mg, 1.2 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (66 mg, 19%).

LCMS (ES): Found 349.1 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (531 mg, 9.46 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (657 mg, 9.46 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (66 mg, 0.18 mmol) followed by KOH (106 mg, 1.8 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)octanamide, Example H, as a light yellow solid (15 mg, 23%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.89 (s, 1H), 8.40 (dd, J=4.7, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.79-7.94 (m, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (dd, J=7.1, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 4.42 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 2.09 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.81 (quin, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.62 (quin, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.24-1.52 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 336.1[MH]+.

Example I N-Hydroxy-7-((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (1.0 g, 6.3 mmol), 5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (2) (0.947 g, 8.2 mmol), Xantphos (0.366 g, 0.63 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (3.09 g, 9.4 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.289 g, 0.31 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide 5-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.22 g, 18%).

LCMS (ES): Found 193.2 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (43.7 mg, 1.0 mmol) was added portion-wise to 5-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (3) (220 mg, 1.0 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (403 mg, 1.3 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (128 mg, 33%).

LCMS (ES): Found 349.1 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.03 g, 18.5 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.28 g, 18.5 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (128 mg, 0.37 mmol) followed by KOH (207 mg, 3.7 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-7-((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide, Example I, as a light yellow liquid (22 mg, 17.8%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.38 (dd, J=4.9, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (ddd, J=8.7, 7.2, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (dd, J=6.9, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 4.31-4.41 (m, 2H), 3.63-3.70 (m, 1H), 3.52-3.58 (m, 1H), 2.62 (s, 3H), 2.10 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.80 (dt, J=15.1, 7.6 Hz, 2H), 1.64 (dt, J=14.5, 7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.37-1.53 (m, 2H).

LCMS (ES): Found 336.4 [MH]+.

Example J N-Hydroxy-8-((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide

NaH (60%) (42.0 mg, 1.0 mmol) was added portion-wise to 5-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (3) (as per Example I above) (195 mg, 1.0 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (393 mg, 1.3 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish (4) as a yellow solid (76 mg, 20%).

LCMS (ES): Found 362.5 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (588 mg, 10.4 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (729 mg, 10.4 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (76 mg, 0.2 mmol) followed by KOH (117 mg, 2.0 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-8-((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide, Example J, as a light yellow solid (8 mg, 11%).

¹H NMR (METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.38 (ddd, J=4.9, 1.8, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (ddd, J=8.7, 7.1, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (ddd, J=7.2, 4.9, 0.6 Hz, 1H), 4.32-4.40 (m, 2H), 2.62 (s, 3H), 2.09 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.80 (quin, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.62 (quin, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.32-1.51 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 350.1 [MH]+.

Example K 7-(Benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (1.0 g, 6.3 mmol), benzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (2) (0.871 g, 6.4 mmol), Xantphos (0.366 g, 0.63 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (3.09 g, 9.4 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.289 g, 0.31 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.8 g, 60%).

LCMS (ES): Found 212.1 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (35.3 mg, 0.50 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (3) (162 mg, 0.48 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (179 mg, 1.3 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate as a yellow solid (80 mg, 28%).

LCMS (ES): Found 368.1 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.06 g, 18.9 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.31 g, 18.9 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (3) (80 mg, 0.37 mmol) followed by KOH (212 mg, 3.7 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide, Example K, as an off-white liquid (20 mg, 25%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.43-8.47 (m, 1H), 7.84-7.88 (m, 2H), 7.39-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.25 (td, J=7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (ddd, J=5.9, 5.0, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.13-7.19 (m, 1H), 4.24-4.32 (m, 2H), 2.07 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.79 (quin, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.60 (dt, J=14.4, 7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.33-1.47 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 355.4 [MH]+.

Example L 8-(Benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (53.7 mg, 1.34 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (3) (as per Example K above) (265 mg, 1.28 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (495 mg, 1.66 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (210 mg, 43%).

LCMS (ES): Found 382.4 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.56 mg, 27.8 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.94 g, 27.8 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (210 mg, 0.55 mmol) followed by KOH (313 mg, 5.57 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example L, as a light brown solid (67 mg, 33%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (br. s., 1H), 8.68 (br. s., 1H), 8.46 (ddd, J=4.8, 1.8, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.01 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (td, J=7.8, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (dd, J=18.6, 7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (td, J=7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.12-7.21 (m, 2H), 4.20-4.31 (m, 2H), 1.90 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.64-1.75 (m, 2H), 1.45 (dt, J=14.6, 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.14-1.36 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 369.1 [MH]+.

Example M N-Hydroxy-7-((1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (1.0 g, 6.3 mmol), 2-amino-1-methylbenzimidazole (2) (1.21 g, 6.9 mmol), Xantphos (0.37 g, 0.63 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (4.1 g, 12.6 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.289 g, 0.31 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide 1-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.35 g, 25%).

LCMS (ES): Found 225.1 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (27 mg, 0.68 mmol) was added portion-wise to 1-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-amine (3) (147 mg, 0.65 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (242 mg, 0.84 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-((1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (160 mg, 64%).

LCMS (ES): Found 381.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (0.59 g, 10.5 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (0.73 g, 10.5 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-((1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (160 mg, 0.42 mmol) followed by KOH (236 mg, 4.2 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:90) to provide N-hydroxy-7-((1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide, Example M, as a light yellow liquid (10 mg, 6%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.32 (br. s, 1H), 8.65 (br. s, 1H), 8.15-8.20 (m, 1H), 7.60-7.64 (m, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.47-7.52 (m, 1H), 7.23 (dtd, J=18.1, 7.4, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 6.86 (dd, J=7.0, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 6.57 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 3.93-4.00 (m, 2H), 3.50 (s, 3H), 1.90 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.59-1.70 (m, 2H), 1.40-1.50 (m, 2H), 1.28 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 368.2 [MH]+

Example N N-Hydroxy-8-((1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide

NaH (60%) (32.8 mg, 0.82 mmol) was added portion-wise to 1-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-amine (3) (as per Example M above) (175 mg, 0.78 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (302 mg, 1.01 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-((1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (60 mg, 19%).

LCMS (ES): Found 395.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (426 mg, 7.6 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (526 mg, 7.6 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-((1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (60 mg, 0.15 mmol) followed by KOH (85.2 mg, 1.52 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-8-((1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide, Example N, as a light yellow solid (11 mg, 18%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.17 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 7.57-7.67 (m, 2H), 7.47 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.25-7.36 (m, 2H), 6.87 (dd, J=6.9, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 6.59 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 4.01-4.08 (m, 2H), 3.50 (s, 3H), 2.04 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.73 (quin, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.56 (quin, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.29-1.43 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 382.4 [MH]+.

Example O N-Hydroxy-7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (1.0 g, 6.3 mmol), 1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (2) (0.830 g, 8.22 mmol), Xantphos (0.366 g, 0.63 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (3.09 g, 9.4 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.289 g, 0.31 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(pyridin-2-yl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.188 g, 16%).

LCMS (ES): Found 179.0 [MH]⁺

NaH (60%) (43.6 mg, 1.09 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (185 mg, 1.03 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (383 mg, 1.3 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate as a yellow solid (139 mg, 39%).

LCMS (ES): Found 335.1 [MH]⁺

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.16 g, 20.8 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.4 g, 20.8 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (139 mg, 0.41 mmol) followed by KOH (233 mg, 4.1 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanamide, Example O, as an off-white liquid (13 mg, 10%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.46-8.53 (m, 1H), 8.27 (s, 1H), 7.88-7.97 (m, 1H), 7.39 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (dd, J=7.1, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 4.39-4.50 (m, 2H), 2.10 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.79 (dt, J=14.8, 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.63 (quin, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.36-1.52 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 322.2 [MH]+.

Example P N-Hydroxy-8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanamide

NaH (60%) (49 mg, 1.2 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (as per Example O above) (210 mg, 1.1 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (561 mg, 1.5 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (140 mg, 34%).

LCMS (ES): Found 349.1 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.12 mg, 20.0 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.38 g, 20.0 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (140 mg, 0.4 mmol) followed by KOH (224 mg, 4.0 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanamide, Example P, as a light brown solid (55 mg, 41%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.34 (br. s., 1H), 8.67 (br. s., 1H), 8.54 (s, 1H), 8.31-8.43 (m, 1H), 7.90-8.06 (m, 1H), 7.45-7.59 (m, 1H), 7.14-7.27 (m, 1H), 4.44 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 3.12-3.20 (m, 2H), 1.87-2.00 (m, 2H), 1.63-1.77 (m, 2H), 1.27-1.57 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 336.4 [MH]⁺

Example Q 7-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

2-Bromo-5-fluoropyridine (1) (1.0 g, 5.71 mmol), 3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (2) (566 mg, 5.71 mmol), Xantphos (0.33 g, 0.57 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (2.79 g, 8.56 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.26 g, 0.28 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.70 g, 63%).

LCMS (ES): Found 195.0 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (43 mg, 1.08 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (3) (200 mg, 1.03 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (380 mg, 1.3 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:70) to furnish ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (250 mg, 69%).

LCMS (ES): Found 351.1 [MH]⁺.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (2.0 g, 35.7 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (2.48 g, 35.7 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (250 mg, 0.71 mmol) followed by KOH (400 mg, 7.1 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide, Example Q, as an off-white solid (45 mg, 18.3%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.32 (br. s, 1H), 8.65 (br. s, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (dd, J=9.2, 3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (ddd, J=9.2, 8.1, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 4.06-4.13 (m, 2H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 1.91 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.62 (quin, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.45 (quin, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.18-1.32 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 338.5 [MH]+.

Example R 8-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (43 mg, 1.08 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (3) (as per Example Q above) (200 mg, 1.03 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (399 mg, 1.34 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (250 mg, 66%).

LCMS (ES): Found 365.1 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.92 g, 34.3 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (2.38 g, 34.3 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (250 mg, 0.68 mmol) followed by KOH (384 mg, 6.8 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (8 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example R, as a light brown solid (50 mg, 20%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.31 (br. s., 1H), 8.64 (br. s, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (dd, J=9.1, 3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (ddd, J=9.1, 8.0, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 4.03-4.16 (m, 3H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 1.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.55-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.37-1.50 (m, 2H), 1.14-1.32 (m, 5H).

LCMS (ES): Found 352.7 [MH]+.

Example S 7-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

2-Bromo-5-fluoropyridine (1) (1.0 g, 5.71 mmol), 2-amino-1-methylbenzimidazole (2) (840 mg, 5.71 mmol), Xantphos (0.330 g, 0.57 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (2.79 g, 8.56 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.26 g, 0.28 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.56 g, 41%).

LCMS (ES): Found 243.1 [MH]⁺

NaH (60%) (36 mg, 0.88 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-amine (3) (205 mg, 0.84 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (312 mg, 1.1 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (124 mg, 36%).

LCMS (ES): Found 399.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (0.877 g, 15.5 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.08 g, 15.5 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (124 mg, 0.31 mmol) followed by KOH (174 mg, 3.1 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide (S) as a light brown solid (23 mg, 19%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.31 (br. s, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.19 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.49 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.17-7.27 (m, 2H), 6.66 (dd, J=9.2, 3.4 Hz, 1H), 3.89-3.99 (m, 2H), 3.42 (s, 3H), 1.90 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.58-1.70 (m, 2H), 1.38-1.50 (m, 2H), 1.17-1.35 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 386.2 [MH]+.

Example T 8-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (36 mg, 0.88 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-amine (3) (as per Example S above) (205 mg, 0.84 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (Intermediate B) (328 mg, 1.1 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (130 mg, 37%).

LCMS (ES): Found 413.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (0.88 g, 15.7 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.09 g, 15.7 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (130 mg, 0.31 mmol) followed by KOH (176 mg, 3.1 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example T, as a light yellow solid (20 mg, 16%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.30 (s, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.18 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.62 (m, 1H), 7.49 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (dtd, J=17.6, 7.4, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 6.66 (dd, J=9.2, 3.4 Hz, 1H), 3.88-4.00 (m, 2H), 3.42 (s, 2H), 1.89 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 1.65 (br. s., 2H), 1.44 (dt, J=14.5, 7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.12-1.34 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 400.2 [MH]+.

Example U 7-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

2-Bromo-5-fluoropyridine (1) (1.0 g, 5.71 mmol), 1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (2) (554 mg, 5.71 mmol), Xantphos (0.33 g, 0.57 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (2.79 g, 8.56 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.26 g, 0.28 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide 5-fluoro-N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.65 g, 61%).

LCMS (ES): Found 193.0 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (44 mg, 11.2 mmol) was added portion-wise to 5-fluoro-N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3) (205 mg, 1.06 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (391 mg, 1.3 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (240 mg, 64%).

LCMS (ES): Found 349.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (2.0 g, 35.7 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (2.4 g, 35.7 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (240 mg, 0.70 mmol) followed by KOH (400 mg, 7.0 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide, Example U, as an off-white solid (45 mg, 19%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.32 (s, 1H), 8.65 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.67 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (ddd, J=9.2, 8.4, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 6.89 (dd, J=9.3, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 6.10 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 3.80-3.88 (m, 2H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 1.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.49-1.60 (m, 2H), 1.45 (quin, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.17-1.31 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 336.1 [MH]+.

Example V 8-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (44 mg, 1.12 mmol) was added portion-wise to 5-fluoro-N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3) (as per Example U above) (205 mg, 1.06 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (399 mg, 1.34 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (265 mg, 68%).

LCMS (ES): Found 363.4 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (2.05 g, 36.6 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (2.54 g, 36.6 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (265 mg, 0.73 mmol) followed by KOH (410 mg, 7.3 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (8 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example V, as a light brown solid (75 mg, 29%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.31 (s, 1H), 8.65 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.67 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (ddd, J=9.3, 8.3, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 6.89 (dd, J=9.4, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 6.10 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 5.76 (s, 1H), 3.80-3.89 (m, 2H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 1.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.55 (br. s., 2H), 1.45 (quin, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.12-1.30 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 350.1 [MH]+.

Example W 7-(Benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

2-Bromo-5-fluoropyridine (1) (1.0 g, 5.71 mmol), benzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (2) (766 mg, 5.71 mmol), Xantphos (0.330 g, 0.57 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (2.79 g, 8.56 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.261 g, 0.28 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.6 g, 46%).

LCMS (ES): Found 230.1 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (36 mg, 0.91 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (3) (200 mg, 0.87 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (322 mg, 1.13 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (196 mg, 57%).

LCMS (ES): Found 386.1 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.43 g, 25.5 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.78 g, 25.5 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (196 mg, 0.51 mmol) followed by KOH (287 mg, 5.1 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide, Example W, as an orange solid (70 mg, 37%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (s, 1H), 8.67 (s, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 8.09 (dd, J=9.2, 3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (ddd, J=9.1, 8.2, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.46-7.56 (m, 2H), 7.25 (td, J=7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.13-7.18 (m, 1H), 4.21 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.91 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.63-1.76 (m, 2H), 1.46 (dt, J=14.1, 7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.23-1.37 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 373.1 [MH]+.

Example X 8-(Benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (92 mg, 2.29 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (3) (as per Example W above) (500 mg, 1.06 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (845 mg, 2.8 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (510 mg, 58%).

LCMS (ES): Found 400.2 [MH]⁺

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (3.58 g, 63.9 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (4.44 g, 63.9 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (510 mg, 1.27 mmol) followed by KOH (712 mg, 12.7 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide (X) as a light yellow solid (45 mg, 9%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.32 (br. s., 1H), 8.65 (br. s., 1H), 8.47 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 8.08 (dd, J=9.1, 3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (ddd, J=9.1, 8.2, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (dd, J=19.7, 7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (td, J=7.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.12-7.18 (m, 1H), 4.18-4.25 (m, 2H), 1.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.64-1.75 (m, 2H), 1.45 (dt, J=14.7, 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.15-1.37 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 387.1 [MH]+.

Example Y 7-((4-(4-Fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

2-Chloro-4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridine (1) (1.0 g, 4.8 mmol), 1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (2) (469 mg, 4.8 mmol), Xantphos (0.28 g, 0.48 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (2.35 g, 7.24 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.22 g, 0.24 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (1.0 g, 71%).

LCMS (ES): Found 269.1 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (37 mg, 0.93 mmol) was added portion-wise to 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3) (250 mg, 0.93 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (344 mg, 1.21 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (296 mg, 63%).

LCMS (ES): Found 425.4 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.95 g, 34.8 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (2.42 g, 34.8 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (296 mg, 0.69 mmol) followed by KOH (391 mg, 6.9 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (8 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide, Example Y, as light yellow solid (31 mg, 10%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (br. s., 1H), 8.66 (br. s., 1H), 8.21 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.56-7.65 (m, 2H), 7.29 (t, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 6.99 (s, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 6.20 (s, 1H), 3.92 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 1.92 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.52-1.66 (m, 2H), 1.39-1.51 (m, 2H), 1.18-1.34 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 412.2 [MH]+.

Example Z 8-((4-(4-Fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (37 mg, 0.93 mmol) was added portion-wise to 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine (3) (as per Example Y above) (250 mg, 1.05 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (360 mg, 1.21 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a light yellow solid (288 mg, 70%).

LCMS (ES): Found 439.3 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.84 g, 32.8 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (2.28 g, 32.8 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (288 mg, 0.65 mmol) followed by KOH (368 mg, 6.5 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example Z, as a light brown solid (100 mg, 35%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (br. s, 1H), 8.66 (br. s., 1H), 8.21 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.64 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 2H), 6.98-7.01 (m, 1H), 6.94 (dd, J=5.3, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 6.21 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 3.87-3.98 (m, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 1.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.53-1.65 (m, 2H), 1.45 (quin, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.14-1.33 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 426.2 [MH]+.

Example AA 7-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

Pyridin-2-amine (1) (1.0 g, 10.6 mmol), 5-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazole (2) (1.82 g, 10.6 mmol), Xantphos (0.62 g, 1.06 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (5.18 g, 15.9 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.47 g, 0.53 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(pyridin-2-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) as a yellow solid (1.4 g, 57%).

LCMS (ES): Found 247.2 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (49 mg, 1.21 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (300 mg, 1.21 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (450 mg, 1.58 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7), to furnish ethyl 7-(pyridin-2-yl(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (440 mg, 89%).

LCMS (ES): Found 403.4 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (3.69 g, 54.7 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (3.80 g, 37.4 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-(pyridin-2-yl(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (440 mg, 1.1 mmol) followed by KOH (610 mg, 10.9 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (8 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide, Example AA, as an off-white solid (50 mg, 11%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (br. s., 1H), 8.49-8.77 (m, 2H), 7.96-8.14 (m, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (dd, J=7.1, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.92 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.63-1.80 (m, 2H), 1.47 (dt, J=14.2, 7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.25-1.41 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 389.94 [MH]+.

Example BB 8-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (49 mg, 1.21 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (as per Example AA above) (300 mg, 1.21 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (473 mg, 1.58 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-(pyridin-2-yl(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (440 mg, 86%).

LCMS (ES): Found 417.4 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (2.96 g, 52.8 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (3.67 g, 52.8 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-(pyridin-2-yl(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (580 mg, 1.3 mmol) followed by KOH (589 mg, 10.5 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example BB, as an off-white solid (60 mg, 14%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.34 (br. s., 1H), 8.67 (br. s., 1H), 8.61 (d, J=4.1 Hz, 1H), 8.01-8.10 (m, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (dd, J=7.1, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.72 (dt, J=13.4, 6.8 Hz, 2H), 1.46 (quin, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.27-1.40 (m, 2H), 1.16-1.26 (m, 2H).

LCMS (ES): Found 404.4 [MH]+.

Example CC 7-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

5-Fluoropyridin-2-amine (1) (1.0 g, 8.9 mmol), 5-chloro-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole (2) (1.19 g, 8.9 mmol), Xantphos (0.516 g, 0.89 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (4.35 g, 13.3 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.41 g, 0.44 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to provide N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) as a yellow solid (1.2 g, 67%).

LCMS (ES): Found 211.1 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (59 mg, 1.49 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (300 mg, 1.42 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (527 mg, 1.80 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (0.22 g, 42%).

LCMS (ES): Found 368.7 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (2.08 g, 30.05 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.69 g, 30.05 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (220 mg, 0.60 mmol) followed by KOH (337 mg, 6.5 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (15 mL/35 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxy heptanamide, Example CC, as an off-white solid (44 mg, 21%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.35 (br. s., 1H), 8.67 (s, 1H), 8.55 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.94 (ddd, J=9.2, 8.3, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (dd, J=9.3, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 4.26-4.50 (m, 2H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 1.93 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.60-1.73 (m, 2H), 1.48 (dt, J=14.4, 7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.25-1.42 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 354.0 [MH]+.

Example DD 8-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

5-Fluoropyridin-2-amine (1) (1.0 g, 8.9 mmol), 5-chloro-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole (2) (1.19 g, 8.9 mmol), Xantphos (0.52 g, 0.89 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (4.35 g, 13.3 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.41 g, 0.44 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. The reaction mixture was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to provide N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) as a yellow solid (1.2 g, 67%).

LCMS (ES): Found 211.1 [MH]⁺

NaH (60%) (59 mg, 1.49 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (300 mg, 1.42 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (559 mg, 1.85 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (200 mg, 37%).

LCMS (ES): Found 381.4 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.87 g, 27.32 mmol) in MeOH (12 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.36 g, 19.50 mmol) in MeOH (12 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (200 mg, 0.54 mmol) followed by KOH (306 mg, 5.46 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (15 mL/35 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example DD, as a light brown solid (47 mg, 24%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ: 10.32 (s, 1H), 8.66 (s, 1H), 8.55 (d, J=2.9 Hz, 1H), 7.89-8.00 (m, 1H), 7.53 (dd, J=9.3, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 4.33-4.45 (m, 2H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 1.92 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.61-1.75 (m, 2H), 1.47 (dt, J=14.6, 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.16-1.40 (m, 6H).

LCMS (ES): Found 368.0 [MH]+.

Example EE 7-((4-(4-Fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

2-Chloro-4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridine (1) (1.0 g, 4.8 mmol), 3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (2) (556 mg, 4.8 mmol), Xantphos (279 mg, 0.48 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (2.35 g, 7.24 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.22 g, 0.24 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine, (3) as a yellow solid (1.1 g, 80%).

LCMS (ES): Found 287.1 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (42 mg, 1.04 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (300 mg, 1.04 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (387 mg, 1.36 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (237 mg, 54%).

LCMS (ES): Found 443.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.50 g, 26.8 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.86 g, 26.8 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (237 mg, 0.57 mmol) followed by KOH (300 mg, 5.36 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (8 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide, Example EE, as light yellow solid (51 mg, 22%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.35 (br. s, 1H), 8.66 (s, 1H), 8.55 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (dd, J=8.5, 5.5 Hz, 2H), 7.61 (s, 1H), 7.35-7.50 (m, 3H), 4.53 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 1.93 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.66-1.80 (m, 2H), 1.44-1.56 (m, 2H), 1.26-1.43 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 430.2 [MH]+.

Example FF 8-((4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (42 mg, 1.05 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (as per Example EE above) (300 mg, 1.05 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (406 mg, 1.36 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a light yellow solid (205 mg, 43%).

LCMS (ES): Found 457.2 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.25 g, 22.4 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.55 g 22.4 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (205 mg, 0.44 mmol) followed by KOH (246 mg, 4.4 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example FF, as a light yellow solid (45 mg, 22%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.32 (br. s, 1H), 8.65 (br. s, 1H), 8.55 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (dd, J=8.9, 5.4 Hz, 2H), 7.61 (s, 1H), 7.46 (dd, J=5.4, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (t, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 4.54 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 1.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.67-1.80 (m, 2H), 1.47 (dt, J=14.7, 7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.28-1.42 (m, 4H), 1.18-1.27 (m, 2H).

LCMS (ES): Found 444.2 [MH]+.

Example GG 7-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

5-Fluoropyridin-2-amine (1) (1.0 g, 8.9 mmol), 5-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazole (2) (1.68 g, 8.9 mmol), Xantphos (0.52 g, 0.89 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (4.35 g, 13.3 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.41 g, 0.44 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to provide N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) as a yellow solid (900 mg, 38%).

LCMS (ES): Found 265.1 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (45 mg, 1.13 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (300 mg, 1.13 mmol) in DM F (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (419 mg, 1.47 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (314 mg, 66%).

LCMS (ES): Found 421.4 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (2.09 g, 37.4 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (2.60 g, 37.4 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (314 mg, 0.74 mmol) followed by KOH (419 mg, 7.4 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide, Example GG, as a light orange solid (35 mg, 12%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (br. s., 1H), 8.52-8.78 (m, 2H), 8.05 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 2H), 1.92 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.64-1.79 (m, 2H), 1.47 (dt, J=13.7, 7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.20-1.41 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 408.4 [MH]+.

Example HH 8-((5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (61 mg, 1.51 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amine (3) (as per Example GG above) (400 mg, 1.51 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (587 mg, 1.96 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (580 mg, 85%).

LCMS (ES): Found 435.4 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (3.74 g, 66.0 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (4.61 g, 66.0 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (580 mg, 1.3 mmol) followed by KOH (748 mg, 13.0 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example HH, as an off-white solid (22 mg, 3.7%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (br. s., 1H), 8.69 (d, J=2.9 Hz, 1H), 8.65 (br. s., 1H), 8.01-8.10 (m, 1H), 7.71 (dd, J=9.3, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 4.40-4.50 (m, 2H), 1.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.64-1.78 (m, 2H), 1.40-1.52 (m, 2H), 1.27-1.40 (m, 4H), 1.16-1.26 (m, 2H).

LCMS (ES): Found 422.4 [MH]+.

Example II 7-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (1.0 g, 6.3 mmol), benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine (2) (0.974 g, 8.22 mmol), Xantphos (0.366 g, 0.63 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (3.09 g, 9.4 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.29 g, 0.31 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.86 g, 60%).

LCMS (ES): Found 228.1 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (34 mg, 0.86 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine (3) (188 mg, 0.82 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (305 mg, 1.0 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (106 mg, 34%).

LCMS (ES): Found 384.1 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (774 mg, 13.8 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (960 mg, 13.8 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (106 mg, 0.27 mmol) followed by KOH (154 mg, 2.7 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 7-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide, Example II, as an off-white liquid (18 mg, 17%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.42 (d, J=4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.62-7.75 (m, 2H), 7.34 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (dd, J=6.8, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 4.28-4.46 (m, 2H), 2.09 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.80 (quin, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.56-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.33-1.53 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 371.1 [MH]⁺

Example JJ 8-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide

NaH (60%) (75 mg, 1.8 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine (3) (as per Example KK above) (430 mg, 1.8 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (733 mg, 2.4 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (310 mg, 41%).

LCMS (ES): Found 398.1 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (2.18 g, 39.02 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (2.71 g, 39.02 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (310 mg, 0.78 mmol) followed by KOH (437 mg, 7.8 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (8 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at it for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide 8-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide, Example JJ, as a yellow solid (43 mg, 14%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (s, 1H), 8.66 (s, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=3.4 Hz, 1H), 7.89-7.96 (m, 1H), 7.87 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (dd, J=7.1, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 4.38-4.51 (m, 2H), 1.93 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.65-1.81 (m, 2H), 1.49 (dt, J=14.6, 7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.30-1.43 (m, 4H), 1.18-1.29 (m, 2H).

LCMS (ES): Found 385.0 [MH]+.

Example KK N-Hydroxy-7-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanamide

2-Bromopyridine (1) (2.0 g, 12.6 mmol), thiazol-2-amine (2) (1.07 g, 10.7 mmol), Xantphos (0.732 g, 0.12 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (6.17 g, 18.9 mmol) were combined in dry 1,4-dioxane (15 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed with N₂(g) and placed under vacuum for 10 min. Pd₂(dba)₃ (576 mg, 0.63 mmol) was then added and the resulting reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 30 h. It was then poured onto demineralized water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) to provide N-(pyridin-2-yl)thiazol-2-amine (3) as a yellow solid (0.8 g, 35%).

LCMS (ES): Found 178.1 [MH]+.

NaH (60%) (45 mg, 1.12 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)thiazol-2-amine (3) (200 mg, 1.12 mmol) in DMF (7 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-7-iodoheptanoate (417 mg, 1.46 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 7-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) as a yellow solid (170 mg, 45%).

LCMS (ES): Found 334.1 [MH]+.

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.43 g, 25.4 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.77 g, 25.4 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 7-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanoate (4) (170 mg, 0.5 mmol) followed by KOH (286 mg, 5.0 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (8 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-7-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanamide, Example KK, as a light brown liquid (10 mg, 6%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-d₄) δ: 8.38 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 7.73-7.84 (m, 1H), 7.40 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (dd, J=8.5, 3.1 Hz, 1H), 6.95-7.03 (m, 1H), 6.92 (dd, J=3.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 4.26-4.37 (m, 2H), 2.09 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.70-1.83 (m, 2H), 1.63 (quin, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.35-1.52 (m, 4H).

LCMS (ES): Found 321.1 [MH]+.

Example LL N-Hydroxy-8-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)octanamide

NaH (60%) (66 mg, 1.69 mmol) was added portion-wise to N-(pyridin-2-yl)thiazol-2-amine (3) (300 mg, 1.69 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) at 5° C. under Ar(g). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 min, and ethyl-8-iodooctanoate (654 mg, 2.20 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. under Ar(g) for 1 h in the dark, then poured onto demineralized water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with EtOAc/Hexane (3:7) to furnish ethyl 8-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) as a yellow solid (180 mg, 30%).

LCMS (ES): Found 348.1 [MH]⁺

A fresh solution of NH₂OH in MeOH was prepared: [KOH (1.42 g, 52.8 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) was added to NH₂OH.HCl (1.75 g, 25.2 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) at 0° C.]. The mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C., then filtered to remove salts; the filtrate was then added to ethyl 8-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)octanoate (4) (175 mg, 0.5 mmol) followed by KOH (283 mg, 5.04 mmol) solubilized in MeOH (10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 21 h, then concentrated in vacuo, poured onto brine/H₂O (30 mL/70 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The organic phases were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:9) to provide N-hydroxy-8-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)octanamide, Example LL, as a light brown solid (65 mg, 38%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₅) δ: 10.33 (s, 1H), 8.66 (br. s., 1H), 8.40 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 7.77-7.91 (m, 1H), 7.46 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 6.99-7.08 (m, 2H), 4.29-4.38 (m, 2H), 1.93 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.60-1.73 (m, 2H), 1.48 (quin, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.28-1.41 (m, 4H), 1.16-1.27 (m, 2H).

LCMS (ES): Found 335.7 [MH]+.

Biochemical Data

Compounds of the invention may be tested for HDAC inhibitory activity by any suitable assay, e.g. the assay described in WO2008/062201. By this assay, the following data were obtained:

In Vitro Biochemical Data

Example IC₅₀, HDAC1 IC₅₀, HDAC6 A * (226.5 nM) * (1.76 nM) B * * C * * D *** * E * * F *** * G * * H *** * I ** * J *** * K * * L **** * M *** * N *** * O ** * P *** * Q **** * R *** * S ** * T *** * U *** * V **** * W *** * X *** * Y * * Z **** * AA *** * BB **** * CC ** * DD *** * EE *** * FF *** * GG ** * HH *** * II *** * JJ *** * KK *** * LL *** * Key: **** ≧10 uM *** ≦10 uM ≧1 uM ** ≦1 uM ≧500 nM * ≦500 nM In Vitro Cancer Cell Growth Inhibition Data for Compound a

IC₅₀ (μM), A549 IC₅₀ (μM), PC-3 1.89 2.32 Comparative Mouse Pharmacokinetic Data for Example a and Example 3 of WO 2010/086646

When comparing compounds of the present invention with Examples in WO 2010/086646, it has been shown that compounds of the invention have increased bioavailability (data below for mice).

Example A

Example 3 of WO/2010/86646 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of the formula

wherein: is a single bond and X is N; and wherein: n is 3 to 7; R is H; each R′ is independently selected from H and QR₁; each Q is independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, CO, CO₂, NH, S, SO, SO₂ and O; each R₁ is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, halogen, C₁-C₁₀ alkylaryl, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl heteroaryl, C₁-C₁₀ heterocycloalkyl and trifluoromethyl; L is selected from the group consisting of thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiadiazolyl and oxadiazolyl, each of which is optionally fused to a benzene; Y is pyridyl; W is

wherein for each occurrence, aryl or heteroaryl may be substituted by up to five substituents, each of which is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁-C₃ hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, C₁-C₃ haloalkoxy, amino, C₁-C₃ mono alkylamino, C₁-C₃ bis alkylamino, C₁-C₃ acylamino, C₁-C₃ aminoalkyl, mono (C₁-C₃ alkyl) amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, bis(C₁-C₃ alkyl) amino C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃-acylamino, C₁-C₃ alkyl sulfonylamino, halo, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, carboxy, C₁-C₃ alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, bis C₁-C₃ alkyl aminocarbonyl, —SO₃H, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, mono C₁-C₃ alkyl aminosulfonyl and bis C₁-C₃-alkyl aminosulfonyl; and each alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl may be optionally substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, halogen, NH₂, NO₂ and hydroxyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein in at least one of L and Y, the atom that is directly bonded to X is a carbon, and at least one nitrogen atom is directly bonded to said carbon.
 3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein at least one R′ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, O—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl) and halogen, wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted with at least one fluorine.
 4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein at least one R′ is optionally substituted aryl or O-(optionally substituted aryl), wherein the optional substituents are defined in claim
 1. 5. The compound according to claim 4, wherein the aryl is substituted with at least one halogen.
 6. The compound according to claim 1, wherein n is 5 to
 7. 7. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: N-hydroxy-7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino]heptanamide; N-hydroxy-7-[(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-3-yl)amino]heptanamide; N-hydroxy-7-((3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide; N-hydroxy-8-((3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide; N-hydroxy-7-((1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide; N-hydroxy-8-((1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide; N-hydroxy-7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanamide; N-hydroxy-8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)octanamide; N-hydroxy-7-((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide; N-hydroxy-8-((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide; 7-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; N-hydroxy-7-((4-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)heptanamide; N-hydroxy-8-((4-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)amino)octanamide; N-hydroxy-7-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)heptanamide; N-hydroxy-8-(pyridin-2-yl(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)octanamide; 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; 7-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; 7-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)-N-hydroxy octanamide; 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; 7-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-((4-(4-fluorophenyl)-pyridin-2-yl)(3-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; 7-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-((5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; 7-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyheptanamide; 8-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-N-hydroxyoctanamide; N-hydroxy-7-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)heptanamide; and N-hydroxy-8-(pyridin-2-yl(thiazol-2-yl)amino)octanamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. 